Roundup: 9 December 2015

Treason leaders get 18 years in prison

THE 30 men convicted of high treason and multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in the main Caprivi high treason trial were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 18 years yesterday.

The sentencing of the 30, and also three co-accused who were convicted of contraventions of Namibia's immigration laws, will not be bringing the longest trial in Namibian legal history to a close, though.

With several of the 10 defence lawyers involved in the trial having indicated that they have instructions to appeal against the conviction of their clients, the hearing of applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court is expected to be the next phase that the trial will be going through.

President unaware of China’s naval base plans

President Hage Geingob has denied knowledge of any plans by the Chinese to set up a naval base in Namibia – a rumour that Western nations have followed with keen interest.

In an interview on BBC’s HARDTalk, President Geingob said he is not aware of the existence of any request by the Chinese authorities to set up a naval base along the Namibian coast, as widely reported in the local and international press.

A naval base (military port) is a military base, where warships and naval ships are deployed when they have no mission at sea or want to restock.

Rain no blessing to the homeless

Article and photo by the Namibian Sun

While many are celebrating the arrival of much-needed rainfall to Namibia’s drought-stricken shores, the homeless and destitute in the Windhoek are finding no joy in the supposed showers of blessing. Among those who are facing increasing suffering because of the rain are the struggle kids camping inside the Swapo headquarters.

A visit yesterday by Namibian Sun revealed soaked blankets, clothes and mattresses. “The items you see hanging here are not washed intentionally. They are there to dry, after they were soaked by the heavy rain,” said struggle kid Daniel Katondo.

The heavy rains have drastically affected the group, which includes tiny children, pregnant women and those living with disabilities.